Graduate audit trainee - ACA - August 2026

PKF FRANCIS CLARK; Cotswold District; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading chartered accountancy firm is seeking ACA trainees in Cotswold District to begin a career as Chartered Accountants. This full-time role provides three years of structured training, covering training costs and offering hands-on experience. Candidates must achieve a 2.2 degree, obtain a minimum of 112 UCAS points from A Levels, and have GCSE Maths and English at grades 4-9. Benefits include a pension, health cash plan, and wellbeing benefits, creating a supportive workplace for career growth.

Benefits

Pension

Group life assurance

Health cash plan

Counselling and support

Emergency funding from the Francis Clark Charitable Foundation

Qualifications

• On track for, or have achieved, a 2.2 degree or above in any discipline.
• Minimum of 112 UCAS points obtained from three A Levels or equivalent.
• GCSE Maths and English at grade 4-9 (C or above).

Responsibilities

• Develop technical, commercial and interpersonal skills.
• Identify key issues and risks using analytics tools.
• Prepare annual statutory accounts and tax calculations.

Skills

Taking initiative and achieving goals

Communicating effectively

Building strong relationships

Working with numbers

Being analytical

Education

2.2 degree or above in any discipline

Minimum of 112 UCAS points from three A Levels

GCSE Maths and English at grade 4-9

Job description

Overview

Join our ACA trainee programme and launch your career as a Chartered Accountant. This full‑time, permanent role starts with three years of structured training and qualification support and offers hands‑on experience, a salary, and a clear path to long‑term growth. We'll cover your training costs and support you every step of the way. As a certified Great Place to Work, we’re the perfect place to start your audit career.

As a trainee auditor, you’ll play a key role in helping businesses understand their financial position and manage risk. You will work with a diverse portfolio of clients, including commercial businesses, charities, educational establishments and professional firms.

As the largest firm of independent chartered accountants and business advisers in South West England, PKF Francis Clark offers a breadth of opportunities to develop your career in the way that’s right for you. We are a team of nearly 1,000 people across Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro. We work hard to enable you to belong, be yourself and be brilliant as part of a forward‑thinking team. We offer flexible hybrid working, a focus on wellbeing and learning and development that is nationally recognised, and we are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work. In 2025, we climbed to 20 out of 100 large organisations on the Great Place to Work list and are in the UK’s top 10 best workplaces for women and wellbeing. We are also ranked 33rd in The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical, commercial and interpersonal skills
• Work in small project teams (typically 2‑5 people) on audits lasting 1‑3 weeks for medium sized and large businesses
• Identify key issues and risks, using analytics tools and software to interpret data, draw conclusions, and make recommendations
• Gain experience in preparing annual statutory accounts and tax calculations, and assessing forecasts and projections
• Be part of a high performing, supportive team
• Study alongside working; dedicate time outside working hours for study and exam preparation. After the three‑year training period, the next 1‑2 years are key in consolidating your knowledge and leading more complex projects, with the opportunity to move towards management.

Key skills & development expectations

• Taking initiative and achieving goals
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Building strong relationships and working collaboratively
• Working with numbers and solving problems
• Being analytical and methodical in your approach
• Bright, motivated graduates ready to build a meaningful career in accountancy

Qualifications

• On track for, or have achieved, a 2.2 degree or above in any discipline
• Minimum of 112 UCAS points (obtained from three A Levels or equivalent, excluding general studies and EPQ)
• GCSE Maths and English at grade 4‑9 (C or above)
• Willingness to travel to client sites and other offices as required

Benefits

• Pension
• Group life assurance – up to four times your core salary
• Group income protection
• Health cash plan to help cover the costs of everyday healthcare
• Health & Wellbeing benefits
  • Option to buy 5 extra days holiday
  • Counselling and support for you and your immediate family
  • Virtual GP for you and your immediate family
  • Cycle to work
• Other benefits
  • Medicash Extras providing you with shopping and gym discounts
  • Gifts for career and family milestones
  • One volunteering day per year to support local organisations
  • Emergency funding from the Francis Clark Charitable Foundation